Service for the Third Sunday of Advent – 11th December 2022
Welcome to our worship this morning. Fr. Leonard is the presiding priest and preacher and the deacon is Deacon Christine. Water is available at the back of the church. There is a POS machine for card payments. Coffee is served after the Liturgy – outside in the garden, weather permitting.
Entrance (all stand and face the door)
Minister: Lift up your heads, O gates: be lifted up you everlasting doors; and the King of
glory shall come in.
All: Who is the King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord who is mighty
in battle.
Minister: Lift up your heads, O gates: be lifted up you everlasting doors; and the King of
glory shall come in.
All: Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.
A hymn: 8 Lift up your heads (tune 128 Gonfalon Royal)
Priest: Blessed be the kingdom of God
All: Now and for ever.
Priest: The Lord be with you.
All: and also with you
[Lighting of the 3rd Advent Candle)
Priest: People of God return! You are called to be God’s own. From the mountains announce the good news. God comes in justice and peace, to all who follow his ways. You are God’s children.
All: Lord, make us one in the peace of Christ today and for ever. Amen.]
The priest then welcomes the people of God and the deacon then leads us into Confession.
Deacon: Turn to us again, O God our Saviour, and let your anger cease from us:
Kyrie eleison
All: Kyrie eleison
Deacon: Show us your compassion, O Lord, and grant us your salvation:
Christe eleison
All: Christe eleison
Deacon: Your salvation is near to those who fear you, that glory may dwell in our land:
Kyrie eleison
All: Kyrie eleison
Priest: May almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to
everlasting life.
All: Amen.
Collect: Let us pray (remain standing as the priest prays the Collect of the Day)
O Lord Jesus Christ, who at your first coming sent your messenger John the Baptist to prepare your way before you: grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight; for you are alive and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First Reading (please sit) Isaiah 35, 1-10. (Shirley Poulakis)
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and shouting. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be opened; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp; the grass shall become reeds and rushes. A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveller, not even fools, shall go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Reader: This is the word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Psalm: 535 All the ends of the earth have seen; the salvation of our God
Second Reading: James 5, 7-10 (to be arranged)
Be patient, therefore, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Brothers and sisters, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Reader: This is the word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God
Hymn: 12 On Jordan’s bank
Gospel Reading
Deacon: Alleluia! Alleluia! Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight and
all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
All: Alleluia! (sung)
Deacon: The Lord be with you
All: and also with you
Deacon: Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew (Mt. 11, 2-11)
All: Glory to you, O Lord
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What, then, did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What, then, did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Deacon: This is the gospel of the Lord
All: Praise to you, O Christ
Sermon (Please sit) Some sermons are available on the website
Affirmation of faith:
Priest: Do you believe and trust in God the Father,
source of all being and life, the one for whom we exist?
All: I believe and trust in him.
Priest: Do you believe and trust in God the Son,
who took our human nature, died for us and rose again?
All: I believe and trust in him.
Priest: Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit,
who gives life to the people of God and makes Christ known in the world?
All: I believe and trust in him.
Priest: This is the faith of the Church.
All: This is our faith. We believe and trust in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Intercessions: Maranatha. All reply Amen. Come Lord Jesus. (Virginia Stevens)
The Peace: (please stand)
Priest: Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in
the highest. The peace of the Lord be always with you
All: and also with you
Hymn: 16 Wake, O wake (The Collection will be taken)
The Great Thanksgiving Prayer (please remain standing for this)
Priest: The Lord be with you
All: and also with you
Priest: Lift up your hearts
All: We lift them to the Lord
Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
All: It is right to give thanks and praise
It is indeed right and good to give you thanks and praise, almighty God and everlasting Father,
through Jesus Christ your Son. For when he humbled himself to come among us in human flesh,
he fulfilled the plan you formed before the foundation of the world to open for us the way of salvation. Confident that your promise will be fulfilled, we now watch for the day when Christ our Lord will come again in glory. And so we join our voices with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven to proclaim your glory for ever praising you and saying:
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.
Priest: Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness; grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit, and according to your holy will these gifts of bread and wine may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ; who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
Deacon: Great is the mystery of faith
All: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross, his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of the whole world; rejoicing in his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming in glory, we celebrate this memorial of our redemption. As we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, we bring before you this bread and this cup and we thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you. Send the Holy Spirit on your people and gather into one in your kingdom all who share this one bread and one cup, so that we, in the company of the Holy Mother of God, St. John the Forerunner, St. Paul, and all the saints, may praise and glorify you for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. AMEN
The Lord’s Prayer: (to be prayed in your own first language)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Priest: We break this bread to share in the body of Christ
All: Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.
Agnus Dei: Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us. Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us. Jesus, redeemer of the world, grant us peace, grant us peace
Invitation to Holy Communion
Priest: Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; happy are
those who are called to his supper.
All: Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word, and I shall be healed
All baptized Christians may come forward to receive the body and blood of Christ. If you wish you may receive a blessing. Please let the Sidespeople guide you forward.
Distribution of Holy Communion: the organ will play
Post Communion Prayer: Let us pray (please stand)
Priest: We give you thanks, O Lord for these heavenly gifts; kindle in us the fire of your Spirit that when your Christ comes again, we may shine as lights before his face; who is alive and reigns now and for ever. Amen.
All: Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen
Hymn: 388 Jesus shall reign
The Blessing and Dismissal
Priest: Christ the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you, scatter the darkness from before
your path, and make you ready to meet him when he comes in glory;
and the blessing…
Deacon: Our Lord says, “I am coming soon”
All: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Deacon: May the Lord, when he comes, find us watching and waiting.
All: Amen.
Fr. Leonard’s usual Day Off – Monday and Tuesday
Home tel : 210 72 14 906; email anglican@otenet.gr
Deacon Chris: 22950 53164: Day Off – Friday
Swedish Church: contact Fr. Bjorn on 694 607 2428
Notices
- Bishop Robert’s Advent Appeal: see the link for details
- This year’s online Christmas fundraiser features the Herald Angels in the sky over Bethlehem. With each donation one more angel is added to the heavenly host. For more details visit our website.
-
- The new church history and guide book ‘OPENING the DOORS’ is now available at the cost of €10,00.
- A POS is available if you wish to buy one of the books or make your Sunday donation to St. Paul’s.
- Join the online Prayer Group each Tuesday morning at 09.00 – see website for the Zoom link.
- Community Connect Coffee Mornings – every second Wednesday 11.00-13.00. Dec 14th (in Swedish Centre). Contact Anne Dedes if you need information.
- Christmas Services:
- Sunday 18th December 18.00 Carols Sing-a-long (€5,00 entry for each adult)
- Saturday 24th December 18.00 Lessons and Carols
- December 25th 00hrs Christmas Morning Liturgy and carol
- December 26th 00hrs Feast of St. Stephen
- December 27th 00hrs Feast of St. John the Evangelist
- December 28th 00hrs Feast of the Holy Innocents
- December 29th 00hrs Feast of St. Thomas Becket
- Sunday 1st Jan 00hrs Service of the Word (New Year’s Day) Feast of St. Basil.
https://www.facebook.com/AnglicanAthens/
@AthensAnglican
e-Mag is now available on the website.
No Comments